
Black plate (4,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
6-4 Lighting
transmission is in R (Reverse). AFL
is not immediately operable after
starting the vehicle; driving a short
distance is required to calibrate the
AFL. SeeExterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flashers):
Press this button to make the front
and rear turn signal lamps flash on
and off. Press again to turn the
flashers off. The hazard warning flashers turn on
if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster flashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. If the lever is
briefly pressed and released, the
turn signal flashes three times.The turn and lane-change signal
can be turned off manually by
moving the lever back to its original
position.
If after signaling a turn or lane
change the arrow flashes rapidly or
does not come on, a signal bulb
might be burned out.
Have any burned out bulbs
replaced. If the bulb is not burned
out, check the fuse. See
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 10‑35.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the
button is on the exterior lamp
control, left of the steering wheel.

Black plate (4,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
7-4 Infotainment System
7.g
.Radio: Seeks the previous
station.
.CD: Select the previous
track or rewinds within a
track.
8.
X
.Removes a disc from the
CD slot.
9.
l
.Radio: Seeks the next
station.
.CD: Select the next track or
fast forwards within a track.
10. RADIO/BAND
.Changes the band while
listening to the radio.
.Selects the radio when
listening to a different
audio source. 11. Multifunction Knob
.Opens menus, highlights
menu items, or sets
numeric values while in
a menu.
12. SELECT
.Selects menu items.
13. CONFIG
.Opens the Settings menu.
14.
/BACK
.Menu: Moves one
level back.
.Character Input: Deletes
the last character.
15.
H
.Opens the Clock menu.
16. TONE
.Opens the Tone menu. 17.
5
.Opens the Phone
main menu.
.Mutes the audio system.
Operation
Controls
The infotainment system is operated
by using the pushbuttons,
multifunction knobs, menus shown
on the display, and steering wheel
controls, if equipped.
Turning the System On or Off
VOL/O(Volume/Power):
Press to
turn the system on and off.
Automatic Switch-Off
If the infotainment system has been
turned on after the ignition is turned
off, the system will turn off
automatically after 10 minutes.

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Infotainment System 7-9
Radio
AM-FM Radio
Playing the Radio
Audio Source
VOL/
O(Volume/Power):
1. Press to turn the radio on or off.
2. Turn to increase or decrease the volume.
The steering wheel controls can
also be used to adjust the volume.
See Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2.
RADIO/BAND:
1. Press to change the band while listening to the radio.
2. Select the radio while listening to another audio source.
Infotainment System Menus
Tone Settings
To access the tone settings, press
the TONE button on the faceplate. Use the tone settings to adjust the
following features:
.Setting the tone
.Adjusting the speakers
Setting the Tone
To adjust the tone:
.Treble: Press Treble and then
press + or −to change the level.
.Middle (Midrange): Press Middle
and then press + or −to change
the level.
.Bass: Press Bass and then
press + or −to change the level.
Adjusting the Speakers
To adjust the speaker balance:
.Press the left arrow on the
bottom for more sound from the
left speakers or the right arrow
on the bottom for more sound
from the right speakers. The
middle position balances the
sound between the left and right
speakers. To adjust the speaker fade:
.Press the upper arrow for more
sound from the front speakers
and the lower arrow for more
sound from the rear speakers.
The middle position balances
the sound between the front and
rear speakers.
EQ Settings
The EQ settings are selected
through the tone menu. Press the
left or right arrows to cycle through
the EQ options. The available
choices are Talk and Manual.
Finding a Station
To select the band, see “Audio
Source” earlier in this section.
Turn the Multifunction knob to find a
radio station. To select a preset
station, choose a preset button.
Seeking a Station
Press
gorlto search for a
station.

Black plate (6,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
8-6 Climate Controls
Remote Start Climate Control
Operation (If Equipped):For
vehicles with the remote start
feature, the climate control system
may run when the vehicle is started
remotely. The system uses the
driver ’s previous settings to heat or
cool the inside of the vehicle. The
rear defog may come on during
remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. If the vehicle has heated
or ventilated seats, they may come
on during a remote start. See
Remote Vehicle Start on page 2‑8
and Heated and Ventilated Seats on
page 1‑8.Sensor
The solar sensor, located on top of
the instrument panel near the
windshield, monitors the solar heat.
The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed,
recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise
the automatic climate control system
may not work properly.
Air Vents
Use the louvers located on the air
vents to change the direction of the
airflow.
To open the vent, move the
thumbwheel to
t. To close the vent,
move the thumbwheel to
l.
For vehicles with eAssist, there is a
battery cooling air vent located on
the shelf behind the rear passenger
seats below the rear window. Keep
this air inlet clear from items that
may block air flow. Proper airflow is
required to keep the eAssist battery
and control system cool.

Black plate (10,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
9-10 Driving and Operating
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing the Vehicle on
page 10‑90.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle show
how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information
Label
Label Example
1. Number of Occupant Seating Positions

Black plate (31,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Driving and Operating 9-31
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑19. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.

Black plate (37,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Driving and Operating 9-37
Limited-Slip Differential
Vehicles with a limited-slip
differential can give more traction on
snow, mud, ice, sand, or gravel.
It works like a standard differential
most of the time, but when traction
is low, this feature allows the drive
wheel with the most traction to
move the vehicle.
Selective Ride Control
The vehicle may have a ride control
system called Selective Ride
Control. The system provides the
following performance benefits:
.Reduced Impact Harshness
.Improved Road Isolation
.Improved High-Speed Stability
.Improved Handling Response
.Better Control of Body Ride
Motions
To switch from TOUR to SPORT
mode, move the shift lever to the left
while the transmission is in D
(Drive). TOUR:
Use for normal city and
highway driving. This setting
provides a smooth, soft ride.
SPORT: Use where road conditions
or personal preference demand
more control. This setting provides
more “feel,” or response to road
conditions through increased
steering effort and suspension
tuning.
The setting can be changed at any
time. Based on road conditions,
steering wheel angle, and vehicle
speed, the system automatically
adjusts to provide the best handling
while providing a smooth ride. The
TOUR and SPORT modes will feel
similar on a smooth road.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
On vehicles with the Traction
Control System (TCS) or the
StabiliTrak
®system, it may begin to
limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control. If this happens, the
cruise control will automatically
disengage. See Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑34 or
StabiliTrak
®System on page 9‑35.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
(Continued)

Black plate (38,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
9-38 Driving and Operating
WARNING (Continued)
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
The cruise control buttons are
located on the steering wheel.
1(On/Off):Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off. An
indicator light will turn on or off in
the instrument panel cluster.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
RES/+ (Resume/Accelerate):
Move the thumbwheel up to make
the vehicle resume to a previously
set speed or to accelerate.
SET/− (Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down to set the speed
and activate cruise control or make
the vehicle decelerate.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used.
1. Press
1to turn the cruise
control system on. The indicator
light in the instrument panel
cluster comes on. 2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Move the thumbwheel down
toward SET/− and release it.
The desired set speed briefly
appears in the instrument panel
cluster.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied or the
*is pressed, the
cruise control is disengaged without
erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly. The vehicle returns to the
previous set speed and stays there.